POINSETTIA – The Seasons Dazzling Garden Gem

POINSETTIA – The Seasons Dazzling Garden Gem
It’s the most wonderful time of the year especially if you’re a lover of the traditional Christmas plant the Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)! Native to Mexico the Aztecs called the vibrant red plant "Cuetlaxochitl." Modern Mexicans know the plant as Flor de Nochebuena (Christmas Eve Flower) whose blooms herald the beginning of the Season.

In the early 19th Century Joel R. Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico brought back Poinsettias cuttings to his South Carolina home. A physician by trade Poinsett was an avid armature botanist who cultivated the cuttings in his greenhouse and sent plants to his friends thereby introducing the plant to America. When the commercial market began to take off Poinsett was given the honor of having the plant named after him. Even though Poinsett had an outstanding career as a United States Congressman and as an ambassador he will always be remembered for introducing the poinsettia into the United States.

Poinsettias became popular in the United States and around the world and today is a significant agriculture product. Popular it is! During the holiday season 85% of plants sold are the beautiful Poinsettia with a market of over 60 million plants grown for sale in all 50 states! The U.S. growers market supplies 90% of the worlds Poinsettia plants. That’s amazing…

Most folks know the Poinsettia as a dazzling red plant but today they are cultivated in many colors including a deep purple. Red, White and Pink are the most common colors you will find at your local nursery or garden shop and often they will have variegated color leaves. Poinsettia plants require a specific kind of care for growers to develop the striking colors. Did you know that Poinsettias does not really have a flower rather “modified leaves” similar to the Bougainville?

Selecting Poinsettias
• Choose a plant with dark green foliage down to the soil line.
• The poinsettia should look full, balanced and attractive from all sides.
• The plant should be 2 1/2 times taller than the diameter of the container.
• Check the plant’s soil. If it’s wet and the plant limp this could be an indication of root rot.

Will my Poinsettia last during the holiday season?
How long your Poinsettia will stay beautiful after you bring it home depends on how old the plant is at time of purchase and how you treat the plant. Poinsettias can retain their beauty for weeks and some varieties will stay attractive for months.
• If the Poinsettia comes in a plastic sleeve remove it immediately.
• Keep your plant in indirect light. Six hours of light daily is ideal.
• On the mainland keep Poinsettias away from warm or cold drafts from radiators, air registers or open doors and windows.
• Check the soil daily. Be sure to punch holes in foil so water can drain into a saucer. Water when soil is dry. Allow water to drain into the saucer and discard excess water.
• Fertilize the poinsettia if you keep it past the holiday season. Apply a houseplant fertilizer once a month. Do not fertilize when it is in bloom.
• Water only when the soil is dry.
• Placing your poinsettia in a cool room 55 to 60°F at night will extend blooming time.

December 12th is National Poinsettia Day.
Learn more here: www.poinsettiaday.com/

Producing more of our own food in Hawaii is a trend that is really taking hold.

Producing more of our own food in Hawaii is a trend that is really taking hold.

Since the economic tsunami of 2008 folks all over are growing more fruits and veggies to sell at farmers markets or at a home fruit stand or just for their own table.

NKO supports this movement and the positive long tern benefits that individuals and communities can harvest from local growing efforts. Local agriculture projects in backyard gardens, boutique farms and commercial enterprises all have a part in increasing our local food sustainability.

Growing food on island keeps money in the local economy, protects important green space, support thriving ag communities, helps reduce the risk of invasive species, and make us more secure against disruptions to our food supply lines from human or natural disasters.

At NKO we often get asked “What kind of fruit trees are the best to plant in my back yard?” Here are Abby’s suggestions:

Avocado http://www.hawaiifruit.net/AvoQuery5.2010.htm

Apple Banana http://www.ipmcenters.org/cropprofiles/docs/hibananas.html

Breadfruit http://ntbg.org/breadfruit/

Citrus (Limes, Oranges, Tangerine) http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/F_N-14.pdf

Mango http://www.hawaiifruit.net/mangodraft6tp.pdf

Want to be part of a larger network, connecting with people who share this interest check out The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation ( FTPF) a nonprofit charity dedicated to planting edible, fruitful trees and plants to benefit the environment and all its inhabitants. FTPF primary mission is to plant and help others plant a collective total of 18 billion fruit trees across the world (approximately 3 for every person alive) and encourage their growth under organic standards. http://www.ftpf.org/mission.htm

Fruit Tree Planting Tips: http://www.plantithawaii.com/